Kagua-Erave MP escapes ambush

MEMBER for Kagua-Erave Wesley Raminai has called for the police hierarchy to immediately step up efforts to restore law and order in his electorate following an ‘ambush’ by ‘criminal’ elements over the Independence weekend.

Mr Raminai after attending to electoral duties in Kagua station was on his way to Erave when his entourage was stopped by more than 30 youths armed with high powered guns and ammunition at Tiripi-Kalolo village.

The youths were allegedly led by a primary school teacher, who ordered Raminai and the delegation to abort the trip to Erave.

Despite being escourted by a police vehicle from Ialibu they were no match to the heavily armed group which had high powered guns and blocked the road with stones and a trailer.

Mr Raminai said last night the group demanded money and had planned to harm the delegation but “we escaped with our lives.’’

“We are planning a very important road project that will connect the Highlands region to Gulf and parts of the Southern but elements from certain parts of the electorate are going to compromise the development that the rest of the law-abiding citizens are looking forward to,” Mr Raminai said.

“It doesn’t matter what people want to call it, whether it is election related or not, it is simply an act of criminal behavior.

“And I want the police commissioner to pay specific attention to the lawlessness that is threatening the rest of my electorate and step in and flush out these criminals before we lose innocent lives.”

Mr Raminai said the Kagua police barracks has 22 staff houses were deserted because the police personnel have fled following an incident about two months ago whereby a policeman had shot and killed his wife, who is a local from Kagua.